Foster announces £5million export contract for Crossgar Foodservice

Oct 26, 2011

Picture by Michael Cooper

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster is pictured with Michael Morrissey, Managing Director, and David, Connor and Paul Bell, Crossgar Foodservice, Seaforde, Co Down. The Minister was congratulating the company on securing a £5million contract to supply beef, poultry, pork and eggs to the Irish Prison Service for meals in its 14 institutions throughout the Republic of Ireland.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster announced today that Crossgar Foodservice has won a contract from the Irish Prison Service with a potential value of £5million over three years.

The Minister said Crossgar Foodservice - based in Seaforde, County Down - is now supplying beef, pork, poultry and eggs to the prison service for meals in its 14 institutions throughout the Republic, as a result of its success in a competitive tender process.

The Minister said: “This is another tremendous export boost for Crossgar Foodservice and the wider food industry especially as the public sector is among the most competitive and challenging sectors in the Republic of Ireland market.

“As a result of this strategic focus on boosting business outside Northern Ireland, this enterprising and innovative company has secured a series of significant contracts in this highly important market and from public sector organisations in particular. It is now supplying a range of quality products to the Prison Service in the Republic of Ireland, sourced largely from its subsidiary companies that include Crossgar Meats in Downpatrick and Crossgar Poultry in Crossgar.”

The Minister added: “A key thrust of Invest NI’s recently launched Boosting Business campaign is enhanced support for local companies, both large and small, to develop opportunities in key export markets. Crossgar Foodservice is an excellent example of how an ambitious business can win in export markets by investing time and resources in developing a highly professional and strategic approach to growth.”

Crossgar Foodservice, which employs over 230 people, currently secures over 40% of its business from public and private sector clients in the Republic.

Contracts won in the Republic have helped the company, which has sales of around €50million per annum, to achieve 25% growth over the past few years.

Michael Morrissey, Crossgar Foodservice’s Director, said: “This is an immensely important contract for the company and will further strengthen our position in the Republic of Ireland and encourage us as we seek to expand our existing business in Ireland.

“We have an excellent track record providing quality products to public sector clients in the Republic and Northern Ireland. Our products are sourced from our own established supply chain and offer provenance and value for money.

“Over the years we have invested extensively in our supply chain and also our distribution services to ensure that clients receive the quality products they require when they require them.”